From Ancient Greece:
* Odysseus: The protagonist of Homer's *Odyssey*, Odysseus is a cunning and resourceful king who faces numerous challenges on his long journey home after the Trojan War.
* Achilles: The central figure in Homer's *Iliad*, Achilles is a powerful and nearly invincible warrior who suffers from hubris and ultimately dies in the Trojan War.
* Heracles (Hercules): A demigod renowned for his immense strength and completing 12 impossible labors. His story is recounted in numerous Greek myths.
From Ancient Rome:
* Aeneas: The protagonist of Virgil's *Aeneid*, Aeneas is a Trojan hero who escapes the fall of Troy and eventually founds the Roman city of Rome.
* Romulus: The legendary founder of Rome, alongside his twin brother Remus.
From Norse Mythology:
* Beowulf: The protagonist of the epic poem *Beowulf*, Beowulf is a brave and strong warrior who defeats monstrous creatures like Grendel and his mother.
* Thor: The Norse god of thunder, known for his immense strength and his hammer, Mjolnir.
From Medieval Literature:
* King Arthur: The legendary king of Britain, known for his knights of the Round Table and his quest for the Holy Grail.
* Roland: The protagonist of the epic poem *The Song of Roland*, Roland is a brave and loyal knight who dies defending Charlemagne's army.
From Other Cultures:
* Gilgamesh: The protagonist of the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Mesopotamian poem, Gilgamesh is a powerful king who seeks immortality.
* Sundiata Keita: The founder of the Mali Empire, his life is recounted in the epic *Sundiata*, a traditional oral story from the Mandé peoples of West Africa.
From Modern Literature:
* Don Quixote: The protagonist of Miguel de Cervantes's *Don Quixote*, Don Quixote is a delusional knight-errant who sets out to right wrongs and achieve glory.
* Jay Gatsby: The protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald's *The Great Gatsby*, Gatsby is a self-made millionaire who throws lavish parties in the hope of winning back his lost love.
This is not an exhaustive list, but it provides a good starting point for exploring the rich history of epic heroes in literature. Each hero is defined by their unique set of traits, challenges, and motivations, and they continue to inspire and entertain readers today.